Living God, you sent your Son among us to reveal your wisdom and make known your ways. Increase our faith, that we may confess Jesus as your Son, take up his work on earth, and trust his promise to sustain his Church. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“King Of My Heart” – Kutless

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Reading: Matthew 16:13-20 (NLT)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
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+ For church leaders around the world, that they may preach your word with wisdom and faith….
+ For all in positions of authority, in church and state, that they may serve with humility and gentleness….
+ For those who have suffered through the abuse of power, that healing and new strength may be theirs….
+ For people who are traveling, that they be safe and return home refreshed….
+ For all who return to school in the coming days, teachers and students alike, that you may be close to them….
+ For our own needs and for those who have asked for our prayers….
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may join their godly predecessors in the Father’s house….

God of love, you never discard the work of your hands: hear our prayers we offer, trusting you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“In Christ Alone” – The Big Sing

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Concluding Prayer – Romans 8:38-39

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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